It's a little rush. After snoozing for a little too long, a final kiss on a cheek, a little meditation, a quick yoga flow, a small breakfast, and i shut the door behind me and step out into the cold. I can immediately tell the temperature dropped further over night. Minus 12 degree Celsius, snow since last Thursday, winter has come early this year. I proceed down our road, it is not as far to Maple as i expected. My perception of distance is so tuned to biking i am confused how long it would take me somewhere on foot in this town.
On the main road i spot a bus stop immediately, and yes, it is the one for the 609 that goes straight into the heart of campus. Bus stops are something my mind seems to ignore as i bike my way around the world. I try to muster up some warmth underneath my fuzzy faux-fur coat, try to hide in the wind shadow of a tree, in vain - the wind blows right around it, while other passengers arrive and join the wait, some of them also clutching thick mugs of hot tea or morning coffee. I am early, i can relax from now on. This bus riding into uni plan is working out. The bus arrives ahead of schedule, mostly empty, we all get on and off we go.
I sit down in my seat, my ipod and i reconnect. We have been through this many times this year - on a bus, going somewhere, while the scenery outside changed from Thailand, to Cambodia, to Vietnam, to Laos, and finally Myanmar. With the most natural of finger strokes i make my way to my favorite album of the year and allow my ipod, i affectionately call him 'fennel', the freedom to shuffle me to happiness.
As we turn onto Dexter Avenue and start climbing the hill in the direction where the sun is rising i can see it spread its beautifully warm light over the land and every being. And then a stream of emotion washes over me.
There is sadness and a feeling of the end. With the snow and cold arriving now i have to say goodbye to my bike rides into work, and create another opportunity for daily cardiovascular activity. While the hills are usually the least favorite part of my going-arounds-and-abouts, i'd now rather be out there, standing in the pedals and working my way up, up, up, and up.
As the most familiar tunes are passing thru my synapses, i understand that as my routines are changing due to the weather it is a clear sign that this year is coming to an end. A year that has been so complex in many ways, where i went out far and returned right back home, into myself, that i am yet unable to put it down in words. And what a contrast of extremes if i just think about the temperature outside this window compared to what it was this summer.
There is also gratitude that arises within me, as more and more people get on, slowly but surely filling the bus. There is not a seat for everyone. But if each one of us had taken a car into work, we'd fill an entire car park, easily. Buses are terrific tools for human transport. I was totally unaware of this local bus community, but now i have just become a part of it.
And there is euphoria also, and a deep feeling of satisfaction. I am here, right now, i have come so far. I look back at what i have accomplished and i know i have arrived where i want to be. As i get off and walk my way into the office with a swing, i am inspired just as much as i felt so many times throughout the year, somewhere out there -- like... on a patio, above the beach, in a hammock, looking out over the ocean.
On the main road i spot a bus stop immediately, and yes, it is the one for the 609 that goes straight into the heart of campus. Bus stops are something my mind seems to ignore as i bike my way around the world. I try to muster up some warmth underneath my fuzzy faux-fur coat, try to hide in the wind shadow of a tree, in vain - the wind blows right around it, while other passengers arrive and join the wait, some of them also clutching thick mugs of hot tea or morning coffee. I am early, i can relax from now on. This bus riding into uni plan is working out. The bus arrives ahead of schedule, mostly empty, we all get on and off we go.
I sit down in my seat, my ipod and i reconnect. We have been through this many times this year - on a bus, going somewhere, while the scenery outside changed from Thailand, to Cambodia, to Vietnam, to Laos, and finally Myanmar. With the most natural of finger strokes i make my way to my favorite album of the year and allow my ipod, i affectionately call him 'fennel', the freedom to shuffle me to happiness.
As we turn onto Dexter Avenue and start climbing the hill in the direction where the sun is rising i can see it spread its beautifully warm light over the land and every being. And then a stream of emotion washes over me.
There is sadness and a feeling of the end. With the snow and cold arriving now i have to say goodbye to my bike rides into work, and create another opportunity for daily cardiovascular activity. While the hills are usually the least favorite part of my going-arounds-and-abouts, i'd now rather be out there, standing in the pedals and working my way up, up, up, and up.
As the most familiar tunes are passing thru my synapses, i understand that as my routines are changing due to the weather it is a clear sign that this year is coming to an end. A year that has been so complex in many ways, where i went out far and returned right back home, into myself, that i am yet unable to put it down in words. And what a contrast of extremes if i just think about the temperature outside this window compared to what it was this summer.
There is also gratitude that arises within me, as more and more people get on, slowly but surely filling the bus. There is not a seat for everyone. But if each one of us had taken a car into work, we'd fill an entire car park, easily. Buses are terrific tools for human transport. I was totally unaware of this local bus community, but now i have just become a part of it.
And there is euphoria also, and a deep feeling of satisfaction. I am here, right now, i have come so far. I look back at what i have accomplished and i know i have arrived where i want to be. As i get off and walk my way into the office with a swing, i am inspired just as much as i felt so many times throughout the year, somewhere out there -- like... on a patio, above the beach, in a hammock, looking out over the ocean.
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